The Elect

I am reading the New Testament, objectively, academically, without emotion or hope to receive one message or another (as best as I can). I am dissecting each line, using the skills that I obtained studying in my bachelors of commerce program, and when it seems too laborious, I remind myself that it is just a chapter at a time; that there is no race. I take a break, because this is not to be taken lightly, or skimmed over. I take my time because this endeavor is not a competition, it has nothing to do with self, or ego. This has to do with spiritual growth, so that I may help others, to which I believe I tasted the first fruits last night, as we read "the promises" in the Big Book meeting, and as I was able to share, inconspicuously using the knowledge that I have received thus far.

And I have come across some gems so far. I have skipped the Gospels, as I am thoroughly comfortable with them, but I never really learned the legality of the faith that we receive through the epistles. So I am currently on Romans, chapter 11, and I had to take a moment out, because what I found is fascinating, in fact, it can rock the Reformed teaching of Unconditional Election, to the core. (Though it is not my intention to use the knowledge that I gain to win over the Christians, but to rather, to show God to others).

The problem with the teaching of the Elect (from a Catholic perspective, and really any other perspective) essentially blots out all free will. It claims that God has predestined us to either be saved or damned, and then it further says that those who are damned are so for the glory of God, and for the glory that is to come to the saved, in heaven, ultimately making even the damned a people who should praise God for their torment.

But in verse 4, Paul quotes from the Book of Kings, and it really says something completely different. It refers to the first Book of Kings where all of Elijah's people chose Baal over Yahweh, and that not only was he the last one left, but that the deserters wanted him dead. Yet Yahweh responds that he had reserved seven thousand men, who will fight the against those who turned their back on him. In verse 7, Paul writes that these elect were not hardened. 

What a fascinating revelation (for it is a revelation, I can only interpret what I can interpret in my humanness at this point in space and time - I know that more will be revealed as I continue on). This suggests that the Elect are actually the ones who are spared from straying, why they are spared, I know not yet, but they have been "left" for God, and they will help Elijah fight his traitors.